Joey&Chandler

Epiphany

Joey awoke with an epiphany.

It was truly a testament to the strength of the revelation – Joey had no time for worldliness or wordiness (he needed all his strength for sex), and using the word epiphany in context outside D.O.O.L. was as surprising as it was meaningful. He liked the word epiphany, for sure – it reminded him of frizzy-haired, tweedy scientists who would shout "Eureka!" after discovering some mysterious anomaly or another. And there was that satisfying twinge in the pit of his stomach when he managed to impress Chandler with small trivial facts or newfound vocabulary (epiphany being the word of choice last night).

Joey heaved himself out of bed. The water was running in the bathroom. Once in the threshold, Joey watched as Chandler began his shaving ritual. He leaned on the doorframe. The habitual nature of the act was fascinating.

Chandler must have become aware of his presence, because he looked into the mirror and grinned a hello.

"You're up early," he said.

"Yeah," Joey replied. There was something about the way he held his razor.

Chandler grinned again and used his fingers to clear a patch of wayward shaving cream from his upper lip. "So are you looking for prophetic visions, sage advice, or both?"

"Why?"

"You're up before the sun, man. I'm afraid you intercepted a radio transmission or something."

"No," said Joey. Chandler's vivid eyes stared right through him. "I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

Chandler still seemed skeptical. "Here." He set down the razor and cream. "Go into the kitchen and I'll whip up some cereal, my treat. I so rarely cook for this household."

Joey complied.

As soon as they were seated, milk and Captain Crunch poured, Chandler twirled his spoon between his fingers and asked, "So what's really going on, Joe?"

"I don't know." Joey searched for something smart to say, but he searched in vain. Chandler seemed to understand.

"Don't strain your eloquence," he teased. "The day hasn't even started."

Joey felt warmth creep to his fingertips.

And what an epiphany it was.